Please help me with my 55g tank =D.

[Arcticafropuffs]

Hey guys, well I've got myself an empty 55 gallon tank sitting in my room right now and I am looking to start it up soon for a saltwater tank. I have some previous experience with an saltwater tank (Biocube, like 24g) but I think I might need some sugestions on what to do first to get this tank up and running. I am planning to put sand on the bottom, and maybe an suggestion on about how many pounds of sand that I would need would be awesome. I'm also curious about how you guys get your supplies, like via the web or by a local pet shop (closest one to me is 35+ miles). Also, about live rock, I was just curious on how people get all of that color and coral and plants and everything in there tank, like on the tank of the month pictures, (I know that takes a quite of bit of expirence and talent, but some color would be nice! =D.) Anyways, if theres anything you feel that I may need to know, please post here, and also please post your suggestions on how I should get my tank up and running. Thanks.

 

[aquariumkeeper1]

How you set up your tank depends on what you want your tank to turn out.

I myself have a 55 gallon reef. I knew from the beginning it was going to be a reef, so I planned accordingly.

1st I cleaned the tank very well, and put it in it's permanent spot. 2nd I mixed the salt mix in the tank with distilled water, and had the powerheads going to get it mixed up good. Over a few days I added some chemicals (Nano Reef A&B, etc.). Then I added 65-70lbs of LR (although i'd use more now if I could) and 60lbs of LS to create a DSB. I watched the permeters closely, and added the last few little pieces of equipment.

I used:
Marineland C-360 caniseter filter and decent skimmer
2 Maxi-jet 900 powerheads w/ rotating deflector heads on an oceanpulse wavemaker.
PhosBan Reacter (added later on)
Nova Extreme T-5 lighting fixture (436watts)
all necesities (heater, thermometer, etc.)

My advice is take your time, DONT rush it. I researched for 2 years before setting up my reef aquarium. Be sure to do your research and ask lots of questions (although be weary of LFS advice as sometimes it is NOT reliable). Get an idea of what you want to keep in the long run, and set your tank up accordingly.

 

[aquariumkeeper1]

P.S. Good luck.:rollface:

If you have any questions you can always just PM me or email me, and i'll get back to ya ASAP.

 

[Geodriller]

As far as sand goes you should either put about a half of an inch so you can stir it up every week or atleast 5 inches which is refered to as a DSB (deep sand bed) which will house bacteria that will turn nitrate into nitrogen gas that will harmlessly float through the sand up and out of the tank. If you go with the DSB do not stir the sand. It will take a while 2 months app. but the bacteria will use up all the oxygen in the sand and swith to using nitrate. Once that has happened if that bacteria comes in contact with oxygen in the water it will die and possibly lead to a crash in extreme cases. The color on the rock is coralline algea and it just takes time to grow along with proper Ca, Alkalinity, PH, and Mag levels. Take your time and go slow. Nothing happens fast in this hobby exept disaster. Good luck and I would think about 60lbs. of sand should get you close.